A resolution unanimously passed Thursday night by the Pope County Quorum Court will commit law enforcement resources to strictly enforcing all litter laws.

This highlighted several ordinances and resolutions unanimously passed during the court's August meeting at the county courthouse in Russellville.

Prior to Justices of the Peace voting on the resolution, West RiverValley Regional Solid Waste District Source Reduction Coordinator Brian Ukara, District Education Outreach Coordinator Louise Mann and Jim Kelley, director of Russellville's Recycle Works center, addressed the court.

"I just wanted to congratulate the Pope County Quorum Court for the resolution you're about to pass," Ukara said, adding that it was a much bigger accomplishment than it seemed.

According to the resolution, Arkansas spends $5-$7 million annually at all levels of government just picking up litter. It also said currently, first-time litter law violators can be fined from $100 to $1,000, plus court costs, and are mandated to spend eight hours performing community service.

"You're a real leader in the district," Ukara said. "We're really proud of you. We really appreciate the work you've done."

Mann said also she wanted to get schools involved.

"We thank you all for what you have done," Mann said, adding that the resolution's passage could lead to a "domino effect" of involving others in cleaning up litter.

Kelley said he has gone to schools in Russellville, Hector and London with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).

"Our goals are the environment," Kelley said. "We want to save the environment if we can. We want to save our landfill."

Kelley said he wants to see litter picked up.

"It's much cheaper to recycle than it is to landfill," Kelley said. "It's very expensive to landfill."

According to Kelley, recycling would help save the landfill. He said several landfills have already closed, and it costs money move trash.

"We're not only saving product, but we're also saving in our environment," Kelley said.

Mann said when an aluminum can is placed on the ground, it could be there 200 to 500 years. When it is recycled, it could be back through the "economic loop" within 60 to 90 days.

JP Larry Pettus said he received phone calls about people leaving litter in their yard. County Judge Jim Ed Gibson said unless a health hazard occurs for action to be taken, a call must be made to an organization such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

"I think one thing we're wanting to do is make people aware," Gibson said.

Gibson reminded the court that the county's fall cleanup is set for 7 a.m. to noon Sept. 24 at the county complex on Weir Road.

Air Evac Lifeteam

Beverly Bower of Air Evac Lifeteam emergency personnel addressed the court about the agency's memberships. Air Evac Lifeteam medical specialists are on call 24 hours a day year round to respond to medical emergencies and take individuals to hospitals via helicopter.

"We want you to feel comfortable calling us in the air anytime," Bower said, adding there are seven bases in Arkansas.

Helicopters are staffed with a pilot with extensive experience, as well as a trauma nurse and paramedic who both have three years of experience, according to Bower. She added it would be preferred to call 911 locally first when there is an emergency, but anyone can call Air Evac Lifeteam at any time.

Other business

An ordinance appropriating $31,145 from the County General Fund was broken down as follows:

n $10,000 for waste disposal;

n $1,145 for agri extension contract labor;

n $10,000 for fuel and another $10,000 for professional services at the Sheriff's Department.

Justice Edwin Shinn said the $1,145 was to match raises county employees received at an earlier date. Gibson said the price increases in gas caused the need to allocate money for fuel.

"We just bought fuel this week," Gibson said. "We shouldn't have to buy until the end of the month."

Gibson said the Quorum Court should not have to allocate more fuel money until September or October.

An ordinance passed to appropriate $8,180 from the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Fund to be used for safety equipment for county divers included:

n $3,635 for small equipment

n $400 for postage

n $41,45 for machinery /equipment

Justices also allocated $4,000 from the County Ambulance Fund for the purchase of small equipment.

After another unanimous approval, $8,000 was transferred from the small equipment to machinery/equipment fund in Nuclear Monies and for Emergency Management/911 $1,180 was transferred from non contributory to contributory matching funds.

Justices approved a resolution declaring a vacancy in the District 2 seat. Gibson said Justice Michael Burden previously held the seat, but moved out of District 2. The resolution states Arkansas Code Annotated 14-14-1309 provides all vacancies in the office of Justice of the Peace are to be filled by the governor.

A grant from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management for $1,530 for the purchase of equipment under the State Domestic Preparedness Program was unanimously approved.

At the meeting's conclusion, Gibson announced the Quorum Court's September meeting will be Sept. 1, to be preceded by the annual Agri Extension appreciation dinner at 5:30 p.m. in the courthouse's second-floor conference room.